Plabennec

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Administration
Commune of Plabennec
Location
Longitude	-4.43° E
Latitude	48.50° N
Country	France
Region	Bretagne
Department	Finistère
Arrondissement	Brest
Canton	Plabennec
Intercommunality	Communauté de communes de Plabennec et des Abers
Mayor	Louis Coz (2001-2008)
Statistics
Land area¹	50.43 km²
Population² (1999)	7,359
- Density (1999)	139/km²
Miscellaneous
INSEE/Postal code	29160/ 29860
¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 mi² or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
² Population sans doubles comptes: single count of residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel).

Plabennec is a commune of the Finistère department in the Bretagne region in the north-west of France. Its population is 7,359 as of the 1999 French census.

1 History
2 Economy
3 Sport
4 Twin towns
5 External links

[edit] History

The area around Plabennec has been occupied since Neolithic times and into the Bronze Age. The commune of Plabennec was formed around the 6th century by a Breton, Saint Abennec. Its name comes from a portmanteau of two Breton language words, Plou and Abennec, which translates as Parish of Saint Abennec.

The land in the area is especially good for growing crops. Since the 19th century, things such as linen, hemp and wheat have been grown locally. In more recent times, with the advancement of agriculture, the land has started to be used for potato growing.

[edit] Economy

Since the 1960s a lot has changed in the economy of the area. The popularity of new vehicles and mechanicalisation of farming has led to certain professions, such as blacksmiths and saddlers, disappearing. However, many people are now moving to the area to live in the revamped barns and lodges.

Most money in the area comes from tourism (due to the fact it is only 10km from Brest Bretagne Airport), industry, hand-crafted goods and agriculture.

[edit] Sport

Plabennec is home to Championnat de France Amateurs Group D side Stade Plabennecois, who play at the Stade de Kervéguen in the commune. The club also deals with other sports such as basketball, handball and volleyball.